Leg Proportions Research Articles

Effects of social isolation and restraint on adrenocortical responses and hypoalgesia in loose-housed dairy cows1

Effects of social isolation or restraint, applied outside the home pen, on adrenocortical and nociceptive responses were examined in 28 loose-housed dairy cows. Treatments lasted 15 min and consisted of social isolation in novel surroundings or restraint by the head in a test pen. A control treatment was applied in the test pen as well. Each cow was exposed to all treatments in a balanced order, with 3 to 4 d between treatments. Compared with the control treatment, social isolation in novel surroundings led to increased plasma concentration of cortisol (P < 0.001) as well as to indications of hypoalgesia [posttreatment lack of decrease in latency to respond toward nociceptive laser stimulation, a tendency for decreased frequency of kicking in the pauses between laser stimulations (P = 0.06), and an increased proportion of leg moving (least possible active response) after treatment (P = 0.04)]. Indications of hypoalgesia were also observed after restraint (reduced kicking in response to laser stimulation, P = 0.04); however, the indications were to a lesser extent than after social isolation, and restraint treatment did not lead to increased plasma concentration of cortisol. For control and restraint treatment, an initial increase (P < 0.02) in plasma concentration of cortisol was found, suggesting effects of pretreatment factors such as handling. No correlations between adrenocortical and nociceptive responses toward social isolation were found. The results confirm earlier reports stating that nociceptive changes induced by environmental challenges can be shown in dairy cows, even when they are kept in groups and removed from the home pen during the study of stress responses. However, testing outside the home pen seemed to affect the nociceptive and adrenocortical responses, thereby suggesting that care should be taken to avoid effects of pretreatment situational factors.

Características da carcaça de cordeiros alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes níveis de fibra em detergente neutro

Este estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de FDN na dieta sobre as características de carcaça de cordeiros confinados e abatidos com 30 kg de PV. Foram utilizados 20 cordeiros machos, não-castrados, cruza Ile de France x Texel, distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro tratamentos (25, 31, 37 e 43% de FDN na dieta). O volumoso utilizado foi silagem de sorgo híbrido (AG 2005 E) e o concentrado foi composto de milho desintegrado, farelo de soja, sal comum, calcário calcítico e fosfato bicálcico. As dietas foram isoprotéicas (17% de PB) e as características avaliadas foram: peso de carcaça quente (PCQ), peso de carcaça fria (PCF), rendimento de carcaça quente (RCQ), rendimento de carcaça fria (RCF), índice de quebra ao resfriamento (IQ), área de olho-de-lombo (AOL), espessura de gordura subcutânea (EG), comprimento da carcaça (CC), largura da perna (LP), profundidade do peito (PPEITO), comprimento de perna (CPERNA), peso e proporção de perna, paleta, costilhar e pescoço e pesos e proporções de osso, músculo e gordura da perna dos cordeiros. O aumento do nível de FDN nas dietas reduziu linearmente o PCQ, PCF, RCQ, RCF e o peso de costilhar. Houve efeito quadrático do nível de FDN sobre o CPERNA. As demais variáveis analisadas não foram influenciadas pelos níveis de FDN das dietas.

On two species of euxanthine crabs from the South China Sea, including a description of a new species of Crosnierius (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Xanthidae)

A new species of the previously monotypic xanthid genus Crosnierius Serène & Vadon, 1981 is described from the South China Sea. The species differs from Crosnierius carinatus Serène & Vadon, 1981 in the structure of the anterolateral teeth, ambulatory leg proportions and form of the male first pleopod. Paramedaeus planifrons (Sakai, 1965) is also reported from the South China Sea, the first record of the species outside its type locality of Japan.

The crossbreeding of improved Jezersko-Solčava sheep with Charollais to improve carcass traits

Thirteen improved Jezersko-Solčava lambs (JSR) and 16 crossbreds with Charollais (JSRxCH) were used to evaluate the effect of genotype and sex on carcass traits. Lambs were weaned at around 60 days of age. They were fed with commercial concentrate and hay ad libitum and slaughtered at 30 kg of average live weight at 103 days of age. Crossbred lambs had at the same live weight at slaughter better conformation (9.19 on 15 points scale) than JSR lambs (7.58). Carcasses of crossbred lambs had lower proportion of fat in hind leg and lower proportion of kidney fat. Female lambs had better dressing proportion (46.25%) than male lambs (42.72%). Females had also higher scores for both internal and subcutaneous fatness and higher percentage of kidney fat. They had higher proportion of fat and lower proportion of bone in hind leg.

Algophagus mites (Astigmata: Algophagidae) from the sub‐Antarctic Prince Edward Islands: habitat‐related morphology and taxonomic descriptions

AbstractFive populations of habitat‐specific, morphologically distinct Algophagus mites (Astigmata: Algophagidae) were found to occur on the sub‐Antarctic Prince Edward islands. Although these mites did not differ among themselves with respect to idiosomal setal characteristics, which were also similar to those of known sub‐Antarctic Algophagus taxa, morphometric analyses revealed leg and idiosomal size differences. In addition to morphometric differences, leg setal positions and porose axillary organ structure, indicated that the morphotypes were taxonomically discrete. The taxa were found to include the known A. antarcticus Hughes, 1955, A. laticollaris Fain, 1974 (new status), a sub‐species of A. semicollaris Fain, 1974, and two new species, A. brachytarsus sp. nov. and A. macrolithus sp. nov. With the exception of A. semicollaris, the taxa are described or redescribed in this paper. Morphological features of the females in particular, and notably leg proportions, claw dimensions, and apodeme positions, corroborate discrete terrestrial (A. brachytarsus and A. macrolithus) and aquatic forms (A. antarcticus, A. laticollaris, and A. semicollaris), and vary in a manner suggesting a functional relationship to habitat occupation by the various taxa.

Excessive length of iliac arteries in athletes with flow limitations measured by magnetic resonance angiography.

Kinking of the iliac arteries can cause flow limitations in endurance athletes. Such kinking may be treated by surgical release of the iliac arteries. However, when the length of the iliac artery is excessive, this may not be effective. Because threshold values of excessive length of the iliac arteries are unknown, normal values for endurance athletes were obtained and abnormalities encountered in these patients are reported. Forty-three endurance athletes (46 symptomatic legs) with flow limitations in the iliac arteries were examined using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with hips extended and flexed. The ratio of vessel length to straight-line distance was determined for the common and external iliac arteries. Sixteen national-level cyclists (32 reference legs) served as a control group. For the common iliac artery, length ratios were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the symptomatic legs than in the reference legs (symptomatic legs: 1.1 +/- 0.12, 1.22 +/- 0.19, reference legs 1.05 +/- 0.04, 1.11 +/- 0.05 with extended and flexed hips, respectively). For the external iliac artery, only in the position with hips flexed, the ratios in the symptomatic legs were significantly higher than in the reference legs (symptomatic legs: 1.11 +/- 0.09, 1.44 +/- 0.23, reference legs 1.08 +/- 0.05, 1.32 +/- 0.13 with extended and flexed hips, respectively). A small proportion of symptomatic legs had extremely high length ratios. MRA is effective for determining vessel length. The ratio of vessel length to straight-line distance with extended and flexed hips is a good measure for excessive vessel length and achieves extreme values in a small subgroup of patients. Further prospective study is warranted to define maximal vessel length ratios, which still allow benefit from surgical release of the iliac arteries.

Effect of active immunization against luteinizing hormone on carcass and meat quality of Romanov lambs

Romanov male ( n=37) and female ( n=6) lambs 50 d old were used to investigate the possibility of improving carcass and meat quality at slaughter with a non-surgical method of castration. Seven groups were compared: intact untreated control (C1); surgically castrated (SC); immunized with 0.25 (T 0.25), 0.50 (T 0.50) or 1.00 (T 1.00) mg porcine LH (injected at 50±7 d of age and three more times 10 d apart); control, injected only with adjuvant (C2) and females (F). Blood samples were collected at d 50 and thereafter at 3 wk intervals until slaughter to determine testosterone and LH concentrations, and presence of antibodies. Scrotal circumference and body weight were determined every 3 wk. The lambs were slaughtered at 43±2 kg live weight and detailed carcass evaluations were performed. Testicular weight, width and length were recorded and diameter of the seminiferous tubules was measured. Immunization with the higher levels of LH (T 0.5 and T 1.0) reduced growth rate and feed efficiency to levels similar to those of F and SC. Dressing percentages of C1 and T 0.25, T 0.50 and T 1.0 were similar and 3.6–4.0% lower than in SC lambs mainly as a result of lower carcass fat. Both SC and immunization reduced carcass shoulder proportion. Whereas, SC increased the loin-proportion, immunization treatments increased the leg proportion. The 12th rib measurements of all immunized lambs showed an increase in lean (45.7–53.3% vs 40.9%) and bone (19.8–23.1% vs 16.4%) content and a decrease in fat content (24.4–33.6% vs 41.5%) compared with SC lambs ( P>0.05). Dissection of half of each carcass showed similar results. Marked decrease ( P<0.01) in backfat was observed in all immunized lambs compared with SC, F, C1 and C2 lambs. Testes weights decreased 15–29% in immunized lambs as compared with C2 and 5–20% as compared with C1 lambs ( P>0.05). Testes circumferences and widths showed dose-dependent decreases. No significant differences among treatments in seminiferous tubule circumference was observed. Free LH was not detectable in serum of immunized lambs but elevated levels of LH antibodies were present at the termination of the study. Significant correlation coefficients were calculated between testosterone concentration and various carcass traits. It is concluded that immunizing against LH could improve the proportions of the most valuable cuts without increased deposition of adipose tissues associated with castration.

On Two New Species of Geothelphusa Stimpson, 1858 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Potamidae) From the Ryukyu Islands, Japan

AbstractTwo new species of potamid freshwater crabs of the genus Geothelphusa are described from the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan. Although both G. shokitai sp. nov. and G. minei sp. nov. are allied to G. candidiensis (type locality Taiwan), they differ from that species and from each other in the form of their carapaces, ambulatory leg proportions, and structure of their male first pleopods.

Carcass composition in Romanov and crossbred male lambs from 10 to 34 weeks of age and its association with testosterone concentration

Changes in testosterone concentration ( T), carcass composition and tissue distribution were studied in 42 Romanov (R) and 42 Booroola-DLS (DLS is a new synthetic breed) crossbred lambs (B-DLS) slaughtered at 4 wk intervals from 10 to 34 wk of age. The carcasses were divided into leg, loin and shoulder cuts and the left side of each was dissected into lean, fat and bone tissues. T increased linearly ( P < 0.01) with age in R lambs starting from 3.8 ng mL −1 at 10 wk of age to reach 13 ng mL −1 at 34 wk. The corresponding figures for the B-DLS lambs were 0.8 and 8.0 ng mL −1, respectively. The difference between the two genotypes in T was significant ( P < 0.05) at all ages except at 14 wk. Romanov lambs had higher shoulder (about 2%) and lower loin and leg proportions than B-DLS, however, most of these differences were non-significant. With advance in age in both genotypes, a tendency was observed for the proportion of the loin cut in the carcass to increase (2%), and that of leg to decrease (2%), whereas the proportion of shoulder varied within a narrow range. The ratios of carcass cuts ( shoulder loin , shoulder leg and leg loin ) were consistently higher in R than in B-DLS lambs especially at younger ages, however, most of the differences were non-significant. Romanov lambs had consistently higher lean, lower fat ( P < 0.05) and similar bone proportions at various ages as compared with B-DLS lambs. Muscle fat ratio was higher in R throughout the growth period and particularly at younger ages ( P < 0.01). The two genotypes differed with increase in age only in the proportion of loin in the carcass ( P < 0.05) and fat in the shoulder ( P < 0.01). The regression on T levels showed a significant genotype difference for all the traits studied, except for the proportion of carcass leg cut. T affected fat and bone ( P < 0.01) but not lean proportions in the carcass and wholesale cuts. The correlations of T with total fat, bone and lean were 0.49 ( P < 0.01), −0.46 ( P < 0.01) and −0.24 for R; and 0.49 ( P < 0.01), −0.50 ( P < 0.01) and −0.18 for B-DLS, respectively. It is concluded that the morphological and anatomical differences in carcass and tissue composition observed between R and B-DLS cross cannot be explained by differences in T concentrations. Other factors, probably of genetic origin, are responsible for these differences, since they are manifested at a very young age and do not change with advance in age.

Effects of different dietary fat sources on performance and carcass characteristics of broilers

The effects of four different dietary fat sources on the performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and fatty acid composition of abdominal fat of broilers were evaluated. As fat sources, a commercial animal/vegetable fat blend (Group 1), soybean oil (Group 2), rapeseed oil (Group 3) and a processed fat product (Group 4) were used. A total of 1300 one-day-old broiler chicks was assigned to 20 litter pens. Each dietary treatment consisted of five replicates (5 pens). The chicks were fed corn-soy-based all mash diets which contained 3.5% of the respective fat source for 43 days. The broilers which were fed the vegetable oils (Groups 2 and 3) performed better than those in Groups 1 and 4. Group 4 also excreted a higher amount of fat because of the decreased metabolizability of the saturated long-chain fatty-acids. The fatty acid composition of the fat excreted in the droppings confirmed that the saturated long-chain fatty-acids cannot be metabolized by young broiler chickens. The proportion of legs, breast meat and abdominal fat was not affected by the dietary treatment. There were no significant differences between the groups in dry matter, protein, and fat content of the thigh meat, or in organoleptic traits of the breast meat. The composition of the abdominal fat was typically influenced by the dietary fat source: the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly elevated in Group 2. Group 3 contained more oleic acid than any of the other groups, and in the abdominal fat of the broilers of Group 4 significantly higher contents of myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, and behenic acid were found. It was concluded that the growth performance of broilers can be improved by incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at levels higher than generally recommended without negative effects on quantitative carcass characteristics. However, the feeding of fats with a high percentage of saturated long-chain fatty-acids has a significant positive influence on the composition and the consistency of broilers' adipose tissue.

Evaluation of tissue adhesive to contain axonal regeneration in horses.

Bilateral palmar and plantar digital neurectomies were completed in 10 horses (a total of 80 neurectomies) using one of three methods: (1) simple transection (guillotine method); (2) epineural capping; (3) n-butyl cyanoacrylate injected into the epineural sheath to act as a nerve sealant. Horses were regularly evaluated clinically for tenderness in and around the surgical site, as well as skin sensation at the coronary band in the heel region, during the 12-week course of the study. None of the surgical sites exhibited any signs of drainage or infection. Horses were then euthanatized, the nerve stumps were dissected from surrounding tissues, and the length and width of the tissue mass that had formed on the end of the nerve was recorded. Longitudinal and transverse sections of the nerve endings were examined histologically for numbers of proliferating axon sprouts (neuroma formation); whether the axons had penetrated the epineurium; degree of Schwann cell proliferation; degree of chronic inflammation; extent of foreign body reaction; extent of retrograde degeneration of the nerve bundles; and amount of fibrovascular proliferation. The proportion of legs exhibiting tenderness or heel sensation did not differ significantly between the three different treatments at any of the six different times they were examined. There was no difference between the three treatments in the length or width of the fibrous tissue scar on the ends of the nerves or in the number of sprouting axons from the ends of the nerves. Of 80 nerves examined, only two nerves were not confined to the epineurium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

"Lucy's" body height and relative leg length: human- or ape-like?

The body height of Australopithecus afarensis A.L. 288-1 ("Lucy") has recently been estimated and calculated as between 1 m to 1.06 m; other estimates give ca. 1.20 m. In addition, it is often stated that her relative leg length was shorter than that of modern humans. Using relative leg-, femur- and tibia length it is shown that both statements together can not be true; either her body height must at least have been around 1.06 to 1.10 m to give "Lucy" human-like leg proportions, or, to achieve a shorter, more ape-like leg ratio, a body height of ca. 1.20 m must be assumed.

Carcass physical and chemical composition of three fat-tailed breeds of sheep

Physical and chemical compositions of carcasses of 73 intact ram lambs of three fat-tailed Iranian breeds; Karakul (K), Mehraban (M) and Baluchi (B) were studied. Lambs were 195 days old at slaughter. Weight of wholesale cuts and bone, fat trim and trimmed meat of each cut were recorded. Moisture, protein, ether extract and ash were determined in each of the deboned cuts. The higher ( P < 0·01) proportion of leg and shoulder in K compared with those in the other two breeds was due to a smaller ( P < 0·01) tail fat in the former breed. The breeds were not different for weight of wholesale cuts as percentage of tail-free carcases. Tail-free carcass of K lambs had the highest percentage of bone, protein and moisture, and those of M had the highest fat trim and the lowest bone as compared with the other breeds. The small-size Baluchi, which is well adapted to the sub-desert conditions, was the fattest of the breeds, as assessed by its highest ranking for percentage of ether extract in the carcass. On the basis of protein content, the values of M and B tail-free carcasses were 93% and 89% as high, respectively, as that for K. Differences among the breeds for the physical and chemical constituents of wholesale cuts as a percentage of the same component in half carcass without tail were small. On the basis of percentage protein, the values of shoulder, back and flap + neck were 102, 98 and 85% as high, respectively, as that for leg.

Effect of environmental temperature, dietary energy, age and sex on broiler carcase portions and palatability

Abstract 1. Two environmentally‐controlled houses, one at a constant 21°C (low temperature), the other diurnally cycling at 21 to 30°C (high temperature) and two diets of 13.0 MJ ME/kg (low energy, LE) and 13.8 MJ ME/kg (high energy, HE) were used to study the effects of age and sex on broiler carcase portions, dissected tissue proportions, and meat quality. 2. Slaughtering at 54 d instead of 34 d produced broilers with breast and leg weights of 277 and 308 instead of 284 and 319 g/kg carcase respectively, and a higher cutting loss (31 versus 6 g/kg carcass). 3. Males had lower proportions of breast, breast meat and fat, but higher proportions of leg, leg bone, and total meat to fat ratio than females. 4. Cycling high temperature resulted in higher breast, and lower leg proportions than constant low temperature. 5. High dietary energy content increased cutting loss, proportion of breast fat and lowered meat to fat ratio when compared to low energy, but did not affect the flavour of the meat, which was imp...

A COMPARISON OF STRUCTURES RELATED TO FORAGING IN TWO CLOSELY RELATED GULLS: LARUS LEUCOPHTHALMUS AND L. HEMPRICHII

Summary Storer, R. W. & Goodman, S. M. 1988. A comparison of structures related to foraging in two closely related gulls: Larus leucophthalmus and L. hemprichii. Ostrich 59: 145–149. The closely related White-eyed and Sooty Gulls (Larus leucophthalmus and L. hemprichii) are widely sympatric in the Egyptian Red Sea. Morphological differences in skeletal proportions which appear related to differences in foraging methods are the relatively longer neck, bill, wing tips, and Crista fibularis of the tibiotarsus in the White-eyed Gull and the relatively wider gape, longer tarsometatarsus, and shorter middle toe in the Sooty Gull. Males of both species have relatively longer bills and wider gapes than the respective females. There are no significant differences between the sexes of either species in wing or leg proportions, or in the total lengths of these elements as a percentage of the cube root of the products of three cranial measurements. We suggest that these interspecific morphological differences are rel...

External body dimensions ofPan paniscus andPan troglodytes chimpanzees

Postcranial skeletal studies have demonstrated thatPan paniscus is a more gracile animal thanPan troglodytes, with different arm to leg proportions. Published data on external body dimensions are extremely rare forPan paniscus, however. We present here a series of such measures for a sample ofpaniscus, and we compare these to similar measures forPan troglodytes. This comparison further clarifies the morphological distinctions between the two chimpanzee species, and indicates that bonobos have longer legs and smaller chest girths relative to overall body height than doPan troglodytes chimpanzees.

Carcass conformation comparisons of growing broiler and laying strain chickens

Synopsis The conformations of growing broiler and laying strain chickens were compared in an attempt to discover whether, in the course of selecting broilers of high growth potential, the conformations of such birds had been so altered as to predispose them to skeletal failure. It was found that broilers had essentially similar proportions by weight of their various body complexes to laying strain birds of equal body weights. Broilers had slightly greater trunk proportions and lower leg proportions than laying strain birds of equal weights but the differences were insufficiently great to explain satisfactorily the supposed predisposition of the broiler leg skeleton to failure. Broilers, at any given body weight, had bones shorter in length than laying strain birds, explaining the more compact appearance of the broiler when compared with the more slender laying strain bird. A compact skeletal system is one which would appear less rather than more likely to fail.

Perceptual carelessness, drawing precision, and oral activity among normal six-year-olds.

A sample of 61 normal 6-yr.-olds was less successful than a comparable sample of 62 5-yr.-olds in recognizing the appropriate location for arms and legs in incomplete pictures of people. Within the former sample a significantly higher N of perceptually inaccurate Ss obtained scores on two Goodenough-Harris items, the proportion of arms and legs, the same anatomical parts that were misperceived. Also, more of these Ss moved their mouths while looking in a mirror. Thus, some normal 6-yr.-olds fail to exhibit an increment in perceptual acuity with advancing CA, draw anatomical parts with more detail than they perceive, and reveal bodily concern during initiation of latency.